Vacuum printing frame



Dec. 15, 1936. A. T. KOPPE VACUUM PRINTING FRAME Filed June 5, 1935 4Sheets-Sheet 1 E IN V ENTOR P (l/Zexander 1T Kappa QM, M 9 m ATTORN EYSDec. 15, 1936. A.- T. KOPPE VACUUM PRINTING FRAME Filed June 5, 1955 4Sheets-Sheet 2 IVEN'IV'OII-Q alexalzdc'r Ilia e QM, M M

ATTORNEYS Dec. 15, 1936. A. T. KOPPE VACUUM PRINTING FRAME Filed June 5,1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 mvENT alez'andw' 1T lioppe fi-M ATTORNEYS w. 15, 1936. T KQPPE VACUUM PRINT ING FRAME Filed June 5, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4S R0 E 0 m m -H WHHw W 11;. xm a 0 Q w Z O o a Q o o O 0 @68 PatentedDec. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VACUUM PRINTING FRALIEApplication June 5, 1935, Serial No. 25,041

11 Claims.

My invention relates to vacuum printing frames of the type utilizablefor obtaining close contact between a sensitized surface and a suitablerepresentation-bearing member so that an image of the representation maybe photographically produced on said sensitized surface.

My invention has further reference to various improved features invacuum printing frames of the type comprising a pair of sections, one ofthese sections being adapted to occupy a horizontal position and theother section being movable downwardly into engagement therewith, bothsections, after they have been locked together, being pivotally movableinto a vertical plane so that the aforesaid representation-bearingmember may be illuminated by a light beam of high intensity.

Various other objects, advantages and characterlstics of my inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description.

My invention resides in the vacuum printing frame, features and detailsof construction of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for L an illustration of one ofthe many forms thereof.

; partly in elevation, this view corresponding with Fig. 2 to someextent but showing the frame sections in diflerent positions;

Fig. 4 is a transversevertical sectional view, partly in elevation, thisview corresponding with Figs. 2 and 3 to some extent but showing theframe sections in other positions;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, andis taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of thearrow;

and

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, and is takensubstantially on the line 6-4 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of thearrows.

In the form of my invention herein illustrated, a pair of spacedvertical standards I, la are provided, these standards being supportedby any suitable arrangement such, for example, as is constituted by thebases 2, 2a which are disposed beneath the respective standards I, la.Near their lower ends the standards above noted are connected togetherby a transverse member 3 and, immediately adjacent the upper endthereof, each standard carries a collar 4, these collars being connectedtogether by a shaft 5 and a rod 6. With an arrangement of the characterdescribed, it will be understood that the standards I, la are securelybraced so that they may be utilized as 'a support in the mannerhereinafter described.

As clearly appears from a consideration of Fig. 1, the above notedstandards, Lia carry the respective collars 1, 1a which are disposed atthe same horizontal level. As indicated in Fig. 5, each of these collarsis provided with an inwardly facing semi-circular seat or depression lb,these seats being adapted to receive the respective trunnions or stubshafts-8. Each trunnion 8 projects laterally from and is carried by thevertical arm 9a of a bracket 9, Fig. 5. These brackets 9 are secured toa lower frame section F of square configuration as defined by the framemembers I which are anchored together so as to form a rigid assembly. Asis clearly indicated in Fig. 4, the frame section F is horizontallydisposed and the brackets 9 are suitably secured midway between the endsof the respective frame members III which extend transversely withrespect to the standards I, la.

Cooperative with the above noted frame section F is a second framesection Fl likewise of similar square configuration as defined by theframe members ll The frame section Fl carries a pair of brackets I!which are suitably secured midway between the ends of the respectiveframe members II in correspondence with the attachment of the brackets 9to the respective frame members Ill. Extending laterally from eachbracket I2 is a trunnion or stub shaft I3 disposed in alined passagesformed in the respective collars l4 and I5, Fig. 5, each stub shaft l3being freely rotatable in its associated collar i4 and having itsassociated collar I secured thereto for rotatable movement therewith.Each of the collars N comprises an upper angular arm lla to whichcertain operating chains are secured in the manner hereinafterdescribed. Each collar l5 comprises an upwardly extending section l5awhich is cut away as indicated at lib to define a vertically extendingchannel adapted to slidably engage a vertical track member i6 secured tothe adjacent supporting standard.

As shown on the drawings, one end l'la of an operating chain I1 issuitably secured in adjustable manner to the end of each of theaforesaid angular arms Ila. As indicated in Fig. 6, each chain I1extends downwardly, then partly around a pair of spaced sprocket wheelsI I and I3, Fig. 6, then upwardly and over a sprocket wheel 20 securedto the aforesaid shaft I for rotatable -movement therewith, and thendownwardly so that the other chain end I1!) is also connected to saidangular arm Ila.

The sprocket wheels I3 above noted are mounted as idlers on poststransversely disposed in the respective collars I, la. The sprocketwheel ll of the collar I likewise is of the idler type. However, thesprocket wheel I! of the collar la is rotatable with a shaft 2I to whichis fixed an operating hand wheel 22, Fig. 5.

Secured to the aforesaid angular arms Ila are the respective ends ofchains 23, or equivalent, these chains extending upwardly between theshaft 5 and rod 6, over the respective rollers 24 carried for freerotatable movement, respectively, by collars 25 disposed at the top ofthe respective standards I, la. These standards are of tubular form andeach of them freely receives a counterweight 28, these counterweightsbeing connected, respectively, to the other ends of the chains 23, Fig.l.

Disposed interiorly of the frame members IIi of the frame section F is aslat structure 21 which is seated upon a plurality of coiled springs,not shown, the latter being disposed between said slat structure and aplurality of members, not shown, extending transversely of the slats andsecured to the lower surface of the frame members l0. Suitably securedto the upper surface of said frame members II) is a rubber mat 28 havinga rubber sealing strip 29 disposed around the border thereof. The slatstructure 21 is biased toward and into engagement with the lower surfaceof the rubber mat 28 by the aforesaid coil springs. As is customary inthe art, a sensitized surface and a representationbearing positive,negative, or equivalent, not shown, are adapted to be secured to theupper surface of the aforesaid rubber mat 28.

Any suitable arrangement may be employed to temporarily retain the framesection F in horizontal position and to swing said frame section in aclockwise direction, Figs. 2 and 4, so as to position the same invertical position. As herein shown, although not necessarily, there isthus utilized a knuckle joint arrangement comprising the members 3II,30a, which are pivotally secured to each other and are pivoted at theirrespective ends to the frame section F and the transverse member 3, asuitable handle 3|, Fig. 1, being provided to break the aforesaid jointand swing the frame section F to vertical position.

As is customary in the art, the frame section Fl supports a plane sheet32 of transparent glass or equivalent, this glass sheet, in any suitablemanner, being fixed to said frame section Fl so as to be in parallelrelation with respect to the rubber mat 28 of the frame section F whenboth of said frame sections are positioned horizontally. As shown, aclamping arrangement 32a is utilized for retaining the plate 32 inposition, this clamping arrangement being suitably secured to the framesection FI and comprising a felt sheet 32b or the like which directlyengages said plate 32. v

The frame sections F and Fl are shown in Fig. 4 in their normalinoperative positions. That is, they are disposed horizontally with theframe section Fl in its uppermost position.

When thus arranged, the above noted sensitised surface and therepresentation-bearing member may be secured in superposed relation onthe rubber mat 23. As soon as this has been done, the frame section PIis lowered from the position thereof as shown in Fig. 4 to that shown inFig. 2.

To this end, the hand wheel 22 is actuated to rotate the sprocket wheelI3 in a clockwise direction, Fig. 4, whereby the chain I'I coactabletherewith is moved in such direction that the frame section Fl islowered while maintained in a horizontal plane by the sections lib ashereinafter described. As will readily be understood, the chain H at theother side of the machine, i. e., the one adjacent the standard Ipartakes of movement similar to that of the above noted chain I1 and,accordingly, the two sides of the frame section FI remain at the samelevel during upward and downward movement thereof.

As the frame section Fl moves downwardly as described above,thechanneled sections Ibb of the respective members I5 slide upon therespective track members IE to thereby prevent any tilting of said framesection Fl. However, as clearly appears from a consideration of Fig. 5,the length of the track members I6 is so chosen that the above notedsections I5b pass out of contact therewith when the frame section Flreaches its lowermost position. Accordingly, when, in said last namedposition, the channeled sections Ilb are nolongereil'ective topreventtilting movement of the frame section Fl. As indicated in Fig. 6,

each bracket l2 of the frame section Fl carries 2. depending verticallydisposed rod 33 which is vertically alined with a passage verticallyformed in a member 34 secured to one side of the lower adjacent bracket9 of the frame section F. These rods 33 enter their respective passagesbefore the sections l5b separate from their respective tracks l6 and,therefore, the frame section Fl is connected to the frame section 1'' soas to partake of pivotal movement therewith in the manner hereinafterdescribed.

During downward movement of the frame section Fl as described above, thearrangement comprising the chains 23 and weights 2 eifectively act in acounterbalancing manner to lessen the manual effort required to shiftsaid frame section FI.

When the frame section Fl reaches its lowermost position, the glassplate 32 thereof comes to rest upon the sealing strip 29 which, asstated above, is disposed on the upper surface of the rubber mat 28. Atthis time, the two frame sections should be clamped together so as to bemovable together as a unit and to form an airtight chamber within thespace encompassed by the sealing strip 29 between the rubber mat 23 andthe glass plate 32. To this end, a clamping arrangement of any suitablecharacter may be utilized.

Thus, as shown on the drawings, the upper surface of the members IIforming the frame section Fl carry a plurality of spaced members 35,each of which terminates in a notched end projecting beyond the borderof said frame section Fl. Pivoted to the lower surface of the membersIll forming the frame section F are a plurality of members 36 which arevertically alined with the respective members 35. Adjustably connectedto each member 38 is a screwthreaded member 31 having a cam lever 33pivoted to the free end thereof.

been moved to its lowermost position so that the glass plate 32 thereofrests upon the sealing strip 29, the members3l are swung upwardly tothereby cause the upper ends thereof to enter the respective notches ofthe members 35. As soon as this has been done, the cam levers 38 areactuated to thereby clamp the frame sections F and Fl tightly togetherand seal the space encompassed by the sealing strip 29. At this time, bythe utilization of any suitable vacuum-producing arrangement, the air isexhausted from said space whereby, under the influence of atmosphericpressure, the members between the glass plate 32 and rubber mat 28 areforced into intimate contact with each other. This arrangement is hereindiagrammatically shown as comprising a hose 39 leading to any suitableair pump, not shown, the open end of the hose extending through therubber mat 28 and being held in position by a clamping washer 40, Fig.4.

Upon completion of the foregoing, the operator grasps the handle 3i andmoves the same toward the standard la to thereby cause the members 30,30a to collapse whereby the frame sections F, Fl are swung in aclockwise direction from thep'osition shown in Fig. 2 so as to bringthem to the vertical position shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 1, amember upstanding from the transverse member 3 is positioned in the pathof the frame section F so as to prevent passage of the frame sectionsbeyond a true vertical position. i

As soon as the frame sections have been positioned in the mannerdescribed above, a suitable source of light, not shown, is disposedadjacent thereto so as to project a-light beam in a direction from rightto left, Fig. 3, this light beam passing through the glass plate 32 soas to produce a latent image on the sensitized surface of therepresentation on the adjacent representation-bearing member.

After the termination of a suitable exposureinterval, the passage of thelight beam along the path above noted is discontinued whereupon-theframe sections F and Fl are returned to horizontal position. The camlevers 38 of the various clamping arrangements are now released and theframe section Fl is moved to its upper position as shown in Fig. 4 so asto permit removal of the representation-bearing member and thesensitized surface. In their separated horizontal positions, the framesections F and Fl are in condition to be operated subsequently in thesame manner as hereinbefore described.

The frame section F remains in its horizontal position under the controlof the members 30 and 30a. which, when in straight-line relation asshown in Figs. 2 and 4, resist movement of the frame section F towardits vertical position.

When the frame section Fl is in its horizontal position, a pair of pins4|, a carried by and projecting laterally from the respective bracketsl2 are in engagement with the respective collar arms Ila. By virtue ofthis arrangement, there is no jolt or jar when the channeled sections orjaws l5a engage the respective track members or guides it upon movementof said frame section Fl upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 1.- Aswill readily be understood, these pins 4| and lla move with the bracketsl2 and hence recede from the collar arms I la when the frame section Flis moved toward and then into its vertical position.

It will be understood that the arrangement should be such that the framesection Fl automatically remains in the horizontal position shown inFig. 4 and, further, the arrangement should be such that the two framesections F and Fl automatically remain in the vertical position shown inFig. '3. To this end, it is desirable that the material forming saidframe sections be so distributed that, under the influence of gravity,the frame section Fl, when .unrestrained, swings to the position shownin Fig. 4 while, similarly, the frame sections F and Fl swing to thevertical position shown in Fig. 3 when freed from restraint. Obviously,any suitable-arrangement other than that briefly described may beutilized for biasing the frame section to the respective positions notedabove.

An important feature of my invention centers around the pivotalarrangement for the upper frame section Fl. As clearly appears from aconsideration of Fig. 5, this pivotal arrangement comprises thetrunnions l3 and the respective supporting collars l4 therefor. The axesof the trunnions l3 remain constantly in horizontal alinement and, whensaid frame section Fl is in its lowermost position, this horizontal axisof the trunnions i3 is in horizontal alinement with the horizontal axisof the trunnions 8. It follows, therefore, when the parts are arrangedas last described, that the two frame sections may readily be moved,with but slight manual effort, from horizontal to vertical position andvice versa. The arrangement for accomplishing this end is simple,efficient and durable. It is a feature of decided importance in the artto which this invention appertalns.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certainparticular preferred example which gives satisfactory results, it willbe understood by those skilled in the art after understanding theinvention, that various changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intendedtherefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes andmodifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a vacuum printing frame, an upper frame section, means supportingsaid frame section for vertical movement, said means comprisingtrunnions projecting in opposite directions from opposite sides of saidframe section, a support for each of said trunnions, and means confiningsaid trunnions to movement in a single vertical plane.

2. In a vacuum printing frame, an upper frame section, means supportingsaid frame section for vertical movement, said means comprisingtrunnions projecting in opposite directions from opposite sides of saidframe section, a support for each of said trunnions, and a guidingmembersecured to each trunnion, each guiding member being adapted to slidablyengage a track to thereby maintain said frame section in horizontalposition.

3. In a vacuum printing frame, an upper frame section, means supportingsaid frame section for vertical and oscillatory movement, said meanscomprising trunnions projecting in opposite directions from oppositesides of said frame section, a support in which each trunnion is mountedfor rotatable movement, and a guiding member secured to each trunnionfor oscillatory movement therewith, each guiding member being adapted toslidably engage a track to thereby maintain said frame section inhorizontal position, each guiding member being disengageable from saidtrack to permit oscillatory movement of said frame section.

4. In a vacuum printing frame, upper and lower frame sections detachablysecured together, and a pivotal supporting arrangement for each of saidframe sections, both of said supporting arrangements being disposed inhorizontal alinement while said frame sections are in horizontalposition and while they are'being swung to vertical position.

5. In a vacuum printing frame, upper and lower frame sections detachablysecured together, trunnions projecting in opposite directions fromopposite sides of said lower frame section, and trunnions projecting inopposite directions from opposite sides of said upper frame section,said last named trunnions being disposed between said first namedtrunnions and all of said trunnions being disposed in horizontalaiinement.

6. In a vacuum printing frame, upper and lower frame sections detachablysecured together, trunnions projecting in opposite directions from opposite sides of said lower frame section, trunnions projecting inopposite directions from opposite sides of said upper frame section,said last named trunnions being disposed between said first namedtrunnions and all of said trunnions being disposed in horizontalalinement, and a separate support for each trunnion.

7. In a vacuum printing frame, upper and lower frame sections detachablysecured together, a pivotal supporting arrangement for each of saidframe sections, both of said supporting arrangements being disposed inhorizontal alinement while said frame sections are in horizontalposition and while they are being swung to vertical position, and meansfor elevating the supporting arrangement for the upper frame sectionfrom such horizontal position whereby said upper me section is raised toa predetermined posi- 8. In a vacuum printing frame, upper and lowerframe sections detachably secured together, a pivotal supportingarrangement for each of said frame sections, both of said supportingarrangements being disposed in horizontal alinement while said framesections are in horizontal position and while they are being swung tovertical position, means for elevating the supporting arrangement forthe upper frame section from such horizontal position whereby said upperframe section is raised to a predetermined position, and means formaintaining said upper frame section horizontally during elevationthereof.

9. In a vacuum printing frame, upper and lower frame sections detachablysecured together, and a pivotal supporting arrangement for each of saidframe sections, both of said supporting arrangements being disposed inhorizontal alinement and one of said supporting arrangements beingdisposed between bearing parts of the other supporting arrangement.

10. In a vacuum printing frame, upper and lower frame sectionsdetachably secured together, a pivotal supporting arrangement for saidlower frame section, and a pivotal supporting arrangement for said upperframe section, said last named supporting arrangement being disposedbetween bearing parts of said first named sup-n porting arrangement.

11. In a vacuum printing frame, upper and lower frame sectionsdetachably secured together, a pivotal supporting arrangement for saidlower frame section, and a pivotal supporting arrangement for said upperframe section, said supporting arrangements comprising trunnionsdisposed in horizontal alinement when said frame sections are securedtogether, the trunnions for said upper frame section being disposedbetween the trunnions for said lower frame section.

ALEXANDER T. KOPPE.

